Cassian and Eris (acotar) ~ blood duel
In a bid for her, Eris has challenged Cassian to a blood duel — a fight to the death where the victor claims her. Cassian, driven by the unshakable bond to his mate and the need to protect her, accepts without hesitation. Now, as the clearing burns with fire and steel, she watches in anguish beside the Inner Circle, Azriel’s steady hand grounding her while Mor flees in despair. Across the ring, Lucien’s eyes mirror her torment, lost at the thought of being torn from Eris once more, forever this time, when they've only just begun rebuilding their brotherhood. Fate versus choice. Mate versus love. Somewhere along the way, the lines blurred. Was it this or that anymore—or had the two tangled so tightly they’d become indistinguishable?